(1) The department shall designate a Saturday and the following Sunday during January or February of each year as free winter fishing days. In addition, the department may designate 1 other day or 2 other consecutive days each year as free fishing days.

    (2) During free fishing days, a resident or nonresident may fish for all species of fish in waters of this state designated by the department without purchasing a license or permit.

    (3) A person who fishes during a free fishing day pursuant to subsection (1) has the same privileges and is subject to the same rules and regulations as the holder of a limited fishing license issued pursuant to section 43533.